Auxiliary time lock



Oct. 11, 1932. w. F. RICHARDS AUXILIARY TIME LOCK Filed Nov. 2. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i W. E/cH/mns; wzfi,

Oct. 11, 1932. w c s 1382,3399

AUXILIARY TIME LOCK Filed Nov. 2, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 Imi 3 'o 4 v Patented Oct. 11, 1932 "WILLIAM F. RICHARDS, F BROWNSTOWN, INDIANA AUXILIARY TIME LOCK Application filed November 2, 1931. Serial No. 572,707.

This application is a continuation in part of my application, filed January 16, 1931, Serial No. 509,129.

The object of this invention, broadly stated, is the provision of super-locking means for safes, the same being simple in its construction, positive in its operation, which can be manufactured and installed at a comparatively low price, and which will give a maxi- '10 mum of security in practice.

More specifically stated, my object is the provision of an auxiliary means for securing safes, whereby a safe can be closed but can not be opened until after the elapse of a predetermined interval of time after it has been decided to open it. That is to say, until after the usual time lock has been manipulated to the position wherethe doormay ordinarily be opened, or if the usual time lock is already in opening position, still my device 'will not permit the safe-door to be opened until my operating mechanism has been connected with power to operate it, and also after a certain limit of time has expired thereafter.

Another object is the provision of an electrically operable locking mehanism, which can be unlocked only by means of an electric current, and then only after the elapse of a certain preselected'interval of time; and if the lead-in wire of the electric circuit has been cut, or otherwise disconnected, then my locking mechanism will not operate, and the locked door can not be opened, even by one having authority to do so, that is until after the electric circuit has been restored and a certain interval of time has expired.

And, finally, my object is to provide means in connection with a time-lock, for signaling acoustically when the device has completed the withdrawal of the locking means; and

' also providing means whereby the operation of the device and the progress thereof will be visualized.

Other particular objects and specific advantages of my invention will suggest themselves in the course of the following description, and that which is new willbe set forth in the claims.

The preferred means for carrying out the 9 principles of my invention in a practical and mechanically efficient manner, is shown the accompanymg two-sheets of drawlngs, which- I Figure 1 is a perspective 'viewsho'wing a safe with my invention operativeconnection therewith.

Figure 2'is a front end elevation of head of the gear-case, showing the latch dotted lines, and in secured position therein.

Figure 3 shows the rear'end of the gear case, and other parts.

Figure 4: is a top plan viewof the gear case, and other parts.

Figure 5 is an inner ciated therewith.

p face elevation of the baffle plate, and other parts-which are ElSSO-f Figure 6 is a perspective detail view latch, and the adjoining portion of the crossbar.

Figure 7 is a top plan viewof the mechanism which is located inside the gear-case, and also showing the bottom of the gear-case. Figure 8 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 7, and taken at right-angles.

thereto.

Figure 9 is a detail cross-section, as taken on the line 99 of Fig. 7, showing parts the gear mechanism.

Figure 10 is a detail it view, showing the hinge of the cross-bar. Figure 11 is a detail section of device for supporting the cross-bar after the "latch is released. I

Figure 12 is a detail elevation of the alarm contact and its support, as taken from the 7 line 12-12 of Fig. '7

And Figure 13 is a detail elevationof the retaining latch alone.

Similar incl-ices designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In order "that the construction, the operation, and the several advantages of this invention may be more fully understood and appreciated, I willnow take up a detailed description thereof, in which I willset forth the same as fully and as comprehensively I may.

7 In the accompanying drawings is'shown a safe, comprising the base A and the body which are integral with each other. Letter 0 designates the door, which is adapted to close the door-opening in the body B, the same being controlled by one or more combination locks each to be manipulated by a dial, as the dial D, forinstance. Said door is adapted to swing to open and to closed position on the double hinge device E, and the securing, or releasing, of the door G is controlled by the lever F. All ofsaid parts are old and I make'no claim thereto, neither am I to be limited thereto, as my invention may, with equal aptitude, be applied to almost any kind of safe.

My invention may be used in connection with a jacket or frame which,r-in this instance, comprises a plurality of vertical posts, as the posts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, the other post whose location is evident is not shown. filaid posts are formed of heavy metal bars, each incased in a metal tube forming a part thereof, and each is surmounted by a metal cap, as the respective caps 13, 14, 15 and 17. The tube portions of said posts are formed in sections, for the purpose of retaining other parts in position, as hereinafter explained."

Presuming that the safe rests upon a floor,

' the said posts are arranged substantially as shown, with their lower ends restin on top of the floor, and secured thereto, or extending therethrough and projecting therebelow,

or otherwiseas'desired, or rather as the conditions will permitwith relationas to where the safe is locatedfl Four of said posts are located near the four corners of the safe, with the posts 1 and 2 located near the front corners of the safe, and the posts 5 and 6 located only a .short distance rearwardly of the respective posts 1 and 2, and in alinement with the rear and the front posts, as is indicated. V

The upper ends of all of said posts are rigidl connected by bars, as the bars 19 and 20; W ile therebelow, said posts are likewise connected by the four bars 23, 24-, 25 and '26. Said posts fit in apertures formed through said bars, with the members of the casings or tubes contacting therewith, above and below,

whereby'the said bars are held rigidly in locked position, and when the caps, as the caps 13, 14, 15 and 17, are tightly pressed down into final positiona'nd rigidly secured to the upper ends of the posts,"then said bars will be securely clamped in position, thereby forming a frame around the safe, which frame should be of greatstrength and rigid ity. The bars 19 and 23 extend across the face of the body B, above and below the door 0, thereby allowing means whereby the'door may be opened and closed without interference with said bars.

t ly ounted to'the post 1, substantially midwayrof the bars 19 and 23, is the collar 27, having a stem 28 formed integral therewith, and with a pivot 29 formed inthrough which extends the pivot 23, whereby said head 31 is rotatably retained in place by the head 32. The other end of the bar 30 terminates in a flat latch member 33, which has a notch 34 formed through the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly thereinto, and also having a round plunger aperture 35 formed through one portion thereof, for the purposes hereinafter explained.

Numeral 18 denotes a bafiie-plate, having two. offset bearings 49 at one end, and like bearings 49 formed at its other end, and all formed integral therewith. The post 6 fits in and extends through the bearings 49' likewise the post 2 extends through the bearings 49. The plate 48 is placed in horizontal alinement with the collar 27, but it is located on the opposite side of the frame therefrom, and

its outer face is located tangent with the outermost points inthe peripheries of the posts 2 and 6.

The bearings i9 and 49' are located between sections of the tubes which surround the inner portions of the posts 2 and 6, whereby w However the inner open side is means of screws extending therethrough, into the edges of the case 36. The front end of said case is closed by a doublemember head,

formed integral therewith, which head is formed by two plates: an inner plate 38 and an outer plate 39, which plates are spaced apart, and are integrally connected at their upper and their outer edges, thereby forming aspace therebetween, which space is open at the lower and the inner edges thereof. Said head, formed by the members 38 and 39, is larger in diameter, both vertically and laterally,than is the case 36. The space between the members 38 and 39 is infinitesimally more than is the thickness of the flat latch member 33, which is adapted to operate therein, as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth. 7

Formed through the lower outer corner portion of the plate 38 is the plungeraperture 40, which opens into the space between the plates'38 andv39 and when the latch is in-J aperture 40 will register with the aperture 35 of said latch. Formed through the central portion of the plates 38 and 39,'andreg1stering with each other, are the respective apertures 41 and 42, and concentric therewith and formed on the face of the plate 39, is the dial 43, which is similar to a clock dial, for the purpose hereinafter stated.

The rear end of the case has a main-shaft aperture 44 formed therethrough, and it also has a wire conducting aperture formed therethrough, which apertures will hereinafter be referred to. Numeral 45 denotes a baseblock, which is adapted to rest on the bottom of the case 36, and it is located inside thereof, its width being equal to the inside width of the case, and its length being somewhat less than that of the inside length of the case. Saidbase-blo0k is adapted to be detachably secured to the bottom of the case 36, by means of a plurality of screws 46, which are run upwardly thereinto, through apertures formed through the bottom of the case 36, whereby the base-block is rigidly secured. Extending, at an angle, from the rear inner corner of the case 36 is a bearing 47, having a vertical bearing aperture therein, in which fits the core portion of the post 6. Said hearing 47 is of a length such as to fit between the two hinge members 49 of the plate 48, whereby the case may be turned laterally thereon. When the caseswings to operative position, as in Fig. 1, the plate 37 will be in contact, or nearly so, with the plate 48, whereby access is not obtainable to theplate 37, or to the interior of the case 36, until said case has been swung outwardly upon its bearing 47, which provides a hinge therefor.

Extending upwardly from the blockv45 are the two spaced apart pillow-blocks, 51 and 52, which have bearings therein for the shaft 53, which shaft has collars, 54 and 55, secured therearound on the sides of the block 52, whereby the shaft 53 can not, inadvertently, be moved endwise. The rear end of the shaft 53 is provided with a notch 56 therein affording means for the attachment thereto of the flexible shaft 57. The forward por: tion of the shaft 53 has a worm-gear 58 secured thereon, concentric therewith. Numerals 59 and 60 denote pillow-blocks, which provide bearings for the shaft 61, on which shaft is secured the worm-gear wheel 63, which meshes with the worm gear 58, but at right-angles thereto. Numeral 104 denotes a collar which is secured around the shaft 61, to prevent endwise movements of said shaft 61. Also secured on the shaft 61- is the worm-gear 63, which meshes with the 3 gear 64, the latter being secured on the rear end of the shaft 65. Said shaft 65 is carried by the pillow blocks 66 and 67, being revolvably mounted in bearings carried thereby, Endwise movements of the shaft 65 are prevented by the collars 68 and 69, which are secured therearound adjoining the block 66. Also secured on the shaft 65 is the worm gear 70.

Numeral 71 denotes the main, horizontal,

gear wheel, the same being secured near the upper end of the vertical shaft 72, which latter is ,revolvably mounted in the block 3 which extends upwardly from the block 54.

Numerals 74 and 75 designate pillow blocks, which extend upwardly from the base block 45, in which block is mounted the plungerbolt 7 6, which is adapted to slide horizontal ly, forward and rearward. The forward portion of the plunger-bolt 76 is adapted to slide in an aperture formed through the bearingblock 77, which is located at the front end of the block 45. Said plunger-bolt also extends through the member 38, by passing through the aperture 40, and it is also adapted to project through the space between the members 38 and 39, and to contact with the latter. Said plunger-boltextends under the outer edge portion of the comparatively large horizontalywheel 71, but does not directly contact therewith, but is adapted to be moved .rearwardly thereby, ashereafter explained. Formed integral with the plunger 7 6 is a collar 7 8, which extends th erearound,

concentric therewith, and it is located a short distance from the wheel 71. The'peripheral portion of said collar 78 is formed tapering rearwardly, providing a square shoulder at its front end, from which it tapers rearwardiy forminga beveled surface, as shown. Be-

tween' the bearings 74 and 75 a shoulder 79 is formed, by reducing the diameter of the rear portion of the plunger 76, as shown. A helical spring 3 encircles'the reduced portion of the plunger 76, between the shoulder 79 and thebearing-block 74, with said spring 3always" under partialcompression such as will normally tend to force the plunger forwardly. i

Numeral 80' denotes a pawl having an open slot 80", in which is located the'pivot 8]..

Said pivot being carried by the arm 81, and,

it in turn is secured on the block 77, and said pawl is located directly above the plunger 76, and in alignment therewith, and is adapted, by gravity, to slide on theplunger 76, and to engage the shoulder of the'plunger 7 6, by means of the shoulder 80 of the pawl 80. A cord 82, or other suitable means, is attached to, the pawl 80, from which it extends upwardly through an aperture in the top of the case 36, where it is provided with a but: ton 83, whereby the pawl 80 may be lifted upwardly, in order to release the plunger 7 6, when so desired. In this instance four pins 84 are threaded through the outer portion of the wheel 71, near the periphery thereof, and they project downwardly therebelow, and they are so arranged that as the wheel 71 revolves, in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon, the pins 84' will, successively,

engage the shoulder of the collar 78 and draw the plunger 76 rearwardly, and thereby permit it to be engaged by the shoulder 80 of the pawl 80.

Secured on'the upper. projection of the shaft 73 is a miter gear 85. Numeral 86' denotes a horizontalshaft which is revolvably mounted in a bearing in the block 77, and it losely projects into the aperture 41in the member 38. Said shaft 86 is prevented from moving endwise by means of the collar 88. Therear end of the shaft 86 carries'the miter gear 87, which meshes with the miter gear 85, at right angles thereto, and it is of the same size with relation thereto.

Detachably secured to the forward end of the shaft 86 is a stem 108, which projects forwardly through the apertures 11 and 42, in the respective members 38 and 39; with a hand. 109 carried by the outer front end thereof, with said hand adapted to travel around, clockwise, over the face of the. dial 4.3. The notch 34, formed in the latch 33, is for the purpose of striding the stem 108, without contacting therewith.

A. supporting, or temporary retaining de vice, for the latch 33 when it is not engaged by the plunger 7 6, is located in an aperture formed through the lower inner corner of the member 38, audit comprises the tube 105, its rear end being closed by a cap, as shown in Fig. 11, with a ball 106 partially projecting from the forward endof said tube, with said b all normally pressed outwardly to its limit,

by means of the helical spring 107 located within said tube, whereby the latch 33 may be manually placed in or removed from the spacebetween themembers 38 and 39, but will not be removed therefromby gravity, but the latch will be retained in position'whereby the aperture 35 will be centered and re tained in register with the aperture 40, in order that the plunger 76 may be easily inserted or removed without friction.

The rear end of the shaft 76 is slidably .mounted in an aperture formed through the post 89, which post ext-ends upwardlyfrom the base as. Secured to the post 89 isthe tongue 90, with which'the rear end of the plunger 7 6 is adapted to contact, and the wire 96 is connected with the tongue 90 by the screw 93. Secured at one end to the pillow-block is the helical sprin 7. with its other end secured in the tail portion of the pawl 80. The spring 7 is considerably-lightthan is the spring 3, whereby the latter will normally overcome the tension of the former, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

secured on the arm 81 is the insulator 8, whose forward end carries the screw 9 by which the end of the wire 9 lis secured. Threaded downwardly into the top of the forward portion of the pawl is the screw 2 10, which carries the insulators 11 and 12, between which 1s clamped the rear end of the tact-arm 21 with the other pole of the 1110-.

tor 100, through the plug97 and the wire 99. And the wire 96 connects the tongue with one pole of the bell 98,. completing a circuit through the wire 111 to one pole of the motor 100. Numerals 101 and 102 denote the wires which provide'themain electrical supply circuit, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, one of which is connected into the ordinary wall switch 103, and then into the plug97 while the wire 101 is connected directly into the other pole of the plug 97. The outer end of the flexible shaft 59 is connected with the drive shaft of the motor 100 which is adapted to be rotated thereby;

Numeral 110 denotes a fragile glasscontainer for a volatile fluid, such as ,teargas,

or other poisonous, noxious, or offensive chemical, to be utilized as follows: Should the case 36 be struck a rather heavy blow,

whereby the container 110 would be fractured and the contents released then the gas from the released contents of the container would serve to drive away or incapacitate the person or persons who should attempt to destroy orremove the above described locking means. r

. Operation 7 Assuming. that the frame is assembled around the safe, as shown in Fig. 1, or otherwise that the safe is unlocked, with the crossbar 30 hangingdownwardly, whereby the door may be opened or closed, with the case 36 swung outwardly at right-angles to the position in which it is shownin Fig. .1; and with the electric currentcut off, that iswith the switch 98 open. When in the condition just stated the plunger 7 6 will be in its rearmost position, where it will be retained-by the pawl 80, as in Fig. 8., Now, if the'door C be locked in the usual manner, the bar 30 may then be raised to horizontal position,

bringing the latch 33 into the space between even though the usual locking means are released, except by starting the motor 100, and the elapse of a predetermined interval of time, such as to permit the mechanism in the case 36 to withdraw the forward end of the plunger 7 6 from the aperture 35, which operation is accomplished as follows: Now, at any time, should the switch 103 be closed, it is evident that the electric circuit will be established which will operate the motor 100, and it in turn will operate the gears, turning the wheel 71 at a very slow rate of speed, but finally one of the pins 84, carried by'the wheel 71, coming into contact with the shoulder of the collar 7 8 will movethe plunger 76 rearwardly until the edge of the collar 78 passes the shoulder 8O of the pawl 80, thereby allowing the rear portionof the pawl 80 to drop, by gravity, with the assistance of the spring 7 and simultaneously with the last mentioned movement the rear end of the plunger 76 will contact with the tongue 90, which will establish, for an instant, a circuit which will cause the bell 98 to ring. Very shortly after the plunger 7 6 contacts with the tongue 90 the pin 84 (then in contact with the pawl 80) will be turned out of contact with the collar 78 which, as the collar 78 is in contactwith the shoulder 80 of the pawl 80, will permit the spring 3 to force the pawl 80 forwardly to the limit of the slot 80*, thereby causing the motor operating circuit to be broken, by the moving of the finger 21 out of contact with the screw 9, and thereby stopping the motor. This last mentioned operation will withdraw the plunger from contact with the tongue 90, thereby discontinuing the operation of the bell.

As soon as the bell rings, and the motor stops, then the bar 30 being then released from the plunger may be pressed downwardly against the pressure of the ball 106, and then lowered to vertical position, thereby permitting the door C to be opened in the usual manner.

It is to be understood that the operation of the motor 100 will rotate the chain of speed reduction gears whereby the wheel 71 will revolve at a very slow rate of speed, as the relative high rate of speed of the motor must be reduced in order to accomplish the slow rate of speed required to make my invention of value, as the attainment of a relative long period of time is required in which the plunger 76 can be withdrawn, either authoratively or criminally, is the prime object to be attained by my present invention.

In this particular instance the mechanism is geared whereby it will require one-hour for the wheel 71 to make a complete revolution, and as there are four engaging pins 84 carried by said wheel, it will require an interval of fifteen minutes for the plunger to be with drawn from connection with the latch, after the motor has been started, as it will require fifteen minutes for thepin which is shown as '1' 11st leaving contact with the collar 1 7 8 to move to such position that the following pin will have taken its place as shown.

It is to be understood that the "number of pins 84 may be changed, in order to change the period oftime required tomove the plunger out of operativecondition, as for instance, if only one of said pins were connected with the wheel 71 then it would alwaysrequire one hour of time for the plunger to be fully withdrawn after the motor has been started. However I am not to be limited to the number of such pins or to thetime required for the functioning of the mechanism herein described. i From the showing herein, it will be apparent that the hand 109 turning about the dial 43, will at all times indicate that the mechanism is working and also show the relative time required before the plunger will be withdrawn from operative position so that the latch may be withdrawn.

It will be understood that if the lead-in wires, or other wires of'the electric circuit is broken, either inside or outside the building where the safe is located, then it will be impossible for anyone, authorizedor unauthorized, to open the safe, until the circuit is again established and the time limit for the operation of the mechanism has expired.

The requirement that the safe can not be opened without the employment of an electric circuit has at least two advantages: (1) Frequently a robber will first cut the wire leading into the building to be robbed, therefore if he does this he has removed the only means by which-he can obtain access to the safe; and (2) on the other hand the electric circuit maybe broken by an authorized person, either before or after a robber has entered the building, even at a distance therefrom, thereby preventing the safe from being opened either by the robber or by any other person. Or if the circuit be not broken, as in either instance above mentioned, then the time required to open the safe will be so protracted that time will be given for the robber to be apprehended. V

It is to be understood that various changes may be made in the several details herein set forth, without departing from thespirit of my invention, and without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof which are new and useful and which involve invention.

Having now fully shown and described my invention in'concrete detail,.wl1at I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An auxiliary time-lock comprising a case, a head integral with the-front end of the case with a slot formed therein, a train of speed reduction gears located in said case, a plunger located in the case and adapted to therein, va latch adapted to lit in said slot, a

train or speed-reduction gears located in the case, a plunger located in the case and adapted to enter said slot and secure the latch therein, means for causing said train of gears to operate electrically whereby they will with i draw said plunger from said latch, means for retaining the plunger in its withdrawn position, meanstor manually releasing the plunger and permitting it to move into engaging position with said latch, and means for automatically stopping the movements of the train oi gears as soon as the plunger is withdrawn from engagement with the latch. 3. An auxiliary time-lock comprising a case, ahead formed integral with one end of the case and having a slot-formed therein, a latch adapted to slide in said slot, a train of speed-reduction gears located 1n said case,

means for causing said train of gears to operate electrically, a plunger located in the case and adapted to extend through said slot in the head, means whereby the plunger may be withdrawn from said slot by the operation of said gears, means for automatically retain- 7, ing the plunger in withdrawn position, means for manually releasing the plunger and permitting it to move into engagement with said latch, means for automatically stopping the movement of said train of gears simultaneously with the withdrawal of the plunger from engagement with said latch, and a latch adapted to be secured in the slot of said head, by reason of the forward end of said plunger entering an aperture in said latch, when 'said plunger is released.

4. In combination with a safe having a door therein with a cross bar hinged at one side of the safe and adapted to extend across in front of the door-and a latch integral with crating said gears, means whereby the operation of said gears will draw the plunger inwardly from engagement with the latch, and means whereby the interval of time=required to withdraw the plunger from the r,

latch may be changed but only when the plunger is drawn inwardlyto its limit. 5. An auxiliary time lock comprising a case hinged at one side of a door, a train of gears mounted in said case and operative in one direction only, a plunger adapted to be withdrawn from locking position only by the operation of said gears, said plunger being adapted to engage in a latch bar to place the mechanism in looking position whereby when the mechanism is placed in looking condition it will so remain until manually started to electrically move into unlocking position, means whereby after it has been started to move into unlocked condition there will be a protracted interval of time expire, means whereby said interval of time may be predetermined but only while the mechanism is in unlocked condition and means whereby access can not be had to the interior of the case when the plunger is in locking position.

6. In combination with a safe having a door, with a cross-bar hinged to the safe at one side of the door and adapted to extend horizontally'across and beyond the door, an auxiliary locking mechanism located at the other side of the door and including a plunger for securing the unhinged end of said bar, means whereby said plunger can be withdrawn from looking said bar only by moving said plunger, electric means for moving said plunger, and means whereby said plunger can free said bar only after the elapse of a predetermined interval of time.

WILLIAM F. RICHARDS.

the end of the cross bar which is remote from the end which is hinged; a time lock comprising a case located at the side of the safe opposite to where the cross bar is hinged, a head integral with the forward'end of'said case and having an'opening therein to receive said latch, a plunger located in said case and adapted to enter an aperture in said latch to prevent, the removal of the latch but adapted to be drawn inwardly to release I the latch, a train of speed reduction gears located n the case, an electric motor for op- 

